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Message |
    
ML
Supporter
Username: Ml1
Post Number: 2927
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 9:56 pm: | 
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My wife and I are going out for a special occasion in a few weeks, and I was wondering what folks consider the best restaurant in New Jersey -- someplace that you would go to for a birthday, anniversary, Valentine's, etc. with your spouse. Personally, I like Stage Left in New Brunswick, but we've been there a number of times, so I was hoping for someplace we haven't been to before.
So -- I'm curious as to what your favorites are. |
Jersey Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 114
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 10:11 pm: |
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Bunny's.
J.B. |
mwoodwalk
Citizen
Username: Mwoodwalk
Post Number: 510
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 10:33 pm: |
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Stage House
The Dining Room, Short Hills Hilton (do the tasting menu)
Frog and the Peach
There are others people would recommend, but I've not been to them/wouldn't recommend them.
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ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 4470
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 11:03 pm: |
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Stage House is quite good.
Also for something very special is the Ryland Inn. http://www.rylandinn.com/
They have a Bistro menu on most days which is less than the fancy full fare but just as special imo. |
Josh Holtz
Citizen
Username: Jholtz
Post Number: 258
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 11:17 pm: |
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The Ryland Inn |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 2910
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 11:20 pm: |
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www.Amandasrestaurant.com
Funny you should ask. Amanda's is by far our favorite and has been for years. Consistently great Zagat reviews, delicious food, stunning atmosphere, attentive service. We're going there for hubby's birthday this weekend! |
mwoodwalk
Citizen
Username: Mwoodwalk
Post Number: 511
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 11:23 pm: |
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Amandas is also excellent; and considerably less expensive than the other places I mentioned.
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Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 2912
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 11:25 pm: |
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I agree mwood. Very reasonably priced. And they have a nice wine cellar and a bar for the hard stuff. |
Hank Zona
Supporter
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 5234
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 11:25 pm: |
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Serenade in Chatham.
or Pegasus at the Meadowlands Race Track
OK...I was kidding about Pegasus (is it still there?), which once had a Zagat's review that read "it's Rolaids by a mile"..but Serenade is the best I have had in NJ, and more than once. |
Wendyn
Supporter
Username: Wendyn
Post Number: 2698
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 7:56 am: |
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Agree with Stage House.
Serenade was a bit too snooty for me.
If you want to go further afield friends of mine swear by the Culinary Institute of America's french restaurant. It is in Hyde Park, NY. |
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 2135
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 7:58 am: |
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http://www.southcitygrill.com/locations.htm |
Camnol
Citizen
Username: Camnol
Post Number: 221
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 8:41 am: |
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For a special meal--Lorena's or Amanda's. We went to Lorena's for our anniversary and had a wonderful meal. |
cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 1735
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 9:28 am: |
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The Dining Room (at Short Hills Hilton) really does live up to the hype. Incredible food, beautiful atmosphere. Just have to get over the notion that you're in a hotel.
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Mozek
Citizen
Username: Mozek
Post Number: 63
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 9:39 am: |
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We're trying Cafe Monet in Millburn on Valentine's Day. It got a great review. (Do a search, there was a thread about it recently.) |
Pippi
Supporter
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 1718
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 9:54 am: |
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Stage House gets another vote |
bak
Supporter
Username: Bak
Post Number: 796
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 10:39 am: |
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Serenade is spectacular, and IMHO not snooty, just expensive. |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 1475
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 12:40 pm: |
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Ryland Inn is a must.
Scalini Fideli is another.
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Arsenal
Citizen
Username: Arsenal
Post Number: 62
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 1:16 pm: |
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Grand Cafe in Morristown. |
jet
Citizen
Username: Jet
Post Number: 1021
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 2:32 pm: |
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It looks like you don't mind driving, so maybe try the "Formagerie" in Rumson . After dinner take a walk around Redbank. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 2923
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 2:35 pm: |
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If you're looking for a little sightseeing in addition to a nice meal, and you want to drive to the very tip of NJ, you could try 410 Bank Street in Cape May.
Then again, they may be closed for the season. |
Stevie
Citizen
Username: Rodman
Post Number: 22
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 2:59 pm: |
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For food, in my opinion the two best are Lorena's in Maplewood and Cafe Panache in Ramsey. David Drake in Rahway is very good but not quite up there. I hear Nicholas in Middletown and Ryland Inn are both exceptional but I ahven't eaten at either one. |
Yonti2323
Citizen
Username: Yonti2323
Post Number: 50
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 4:36 pm: |
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The Dining Room at the Short Hills Hilton is in a class by itself, for fantastic food and elegant, formal service. We've also had terrific special-event meals at Lorena's (last Friday), Serenade, Fascino (Montclair), Scalini Fedeli and LaTour (Ridgewood).
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Strings
Supporter
Username: Blue_eyes
Post Number: 798
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 5:01 pm: |
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Brett made a great suggestions with South City Grill. I was only there once, about 2 years ago, but it was fantastic. And it has an excellent martini list, though I don't know if it's the best restaurant in NJ.
I will honestly say that the best food I've had locally in a while has been at the Village Cellar, though, overall, it wouldn't get my vote for best restauarant in the state either. I don't think I've had enough exposure to some of the top places around to make that kind of decision. |
bmpsab
Citizen
Username: Bmpsab
Post Number: 189
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 7:49 pm: |
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Ryland Inn is fantastic and so are Serenade and Grand Cafe. Can't go wrong with any of those!
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Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 2139
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 8:47 pm: |
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Ok Strings, I won’t say best restaurant in NJ. But I will stand by “Best Sea Food” in NJ. This place is awesome.
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SO Ref
Citizen
Username: So_refugee
Post Number: 1484
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 10:10 pm: |
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Rat's in Hamilton
www.ratsrestaurant.org
Go early and tour the Grounds for Sculpture.
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bemused
Citizen
Username: Bemused
Post Number: 37
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 12:40 pm: |
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I can't agree with the Scalini or the Stage House reviews. I've been to both recently. I find them to be overly fussy and "staged" without proper attention paid to the quality or presentation of the food. The result at both was an expensive so-so meal. |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 1518
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 3:42 pm: |
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I can't agree with Rats myself. It's nice and the grounds are great, but excellent cuisine? I don't think so. |
mwoodwalk
Citizen
Username: Mwoodwalk
Post Number: 516
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 10:46 pm: |
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Well, I can't speak to Stage House recently, but 3 years ago it ranked as my best meal ever to that point.
Agree re: Scalini being overrated, at least in our one experience there.
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Veritas Ultimo
Citizen
Username: Veritas_ultimo
Post Number: 41
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 12:39 pm: |
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Veritas Ultimo agrees with and Hank Zona, BAK and BMPSAB. If it is a very special occasion, go to Cafe Seranade in Chatham. Please don't waste you time or money at Scalini unless you like expensive dining with attitude, wildly inconsistent food, and a million waiters, captains, etc. swirling around you. If expense is no object, consider Il Capriccio on Rt. 10 in Whippany if you want a better Scalini type experience. |
6yearrez
Citizen
Username: 6yearrez
Post Number: 123
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 9:19 pm: |
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Has anyone been to Highlawn since the guy from Jocelyne's (Mitchell, I think) went there? It got a great review. Went to Lorena's in November though..outstanding meal. Ryland is way too pretentious. Serenade is worth a trip from anywhere. |
SOSully
Citizen
Username: Sullymw
Post Number: 1154
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 9:38 am: |
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Serenade
Stage House
Lorena's
I went to Highlawn recently. It was very good, but it's harder to maintain quality in a place so large. Overall, the food, ambience and view make for a wonderful evening. |
Camnol
Citizen
Username: Camnol
Post Number: 231
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 9:40 am: |
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My husband and I felt that Stage House was overrated, but we know many people who love it. I've never eaten at Serande, but had the food at a party they catered--it was excellent. Lorena's received a lovely review in this month's New Jersey Monthly. |
SOSully
Citizen
Username: Sullymw
Post Number: 1155
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 9:43 am: |
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We also went to the Trap Rock recently and it was awesome. I was always thought it was good, but not great, but last time it was really over-the-top good...apps to desserts |
Wendyn
Supporter
Username: Wendyn
Post Number: 2707
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 11:13 am: |
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And it will be even better once it is non-smoking... |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 288
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 1:49 pm: |
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A&W burgers in somerville...oh yes
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ML
Supporter
Username: Ml1
Post Number: 2936
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 10:00 pm: |
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You guys have all been great. We've taken one of your suggestions, and made a reservation for this Saturday.
Thanks. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3003
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 10:01 pm: |
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Sooooo, where ya goin? |
ML
Supporter
Username: Ml1
Post Number: 2937
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 10:03 pm: |
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not telling yet.
don't want anyone to try to talk us out of it.
 |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3005
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 10:04 pm: |
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Let us know after then. Give us your review. |
Grrrrrrrrrrr
Citizen
Username: Oldsctls67
Post Number: 273
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 10:20 am: |
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Going to the Stage House tonight...Do men need a jacket? |
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